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On an application form, what should I put for salary desired? Many job descriptions request for candidates to send a cover letter stating the desired salary. I've read that an actual amount should not be listed and instead I should put "open" or "negotiable". So what am I supposed to put when they ask for an amount?

Seriously...if you have the option to do so, put in a range. Otherwise, if they're going to force you to really put in a number, do research and put in something reasonably high as you would in the first round of a negotiation. But where possible, it is to your advantage to delay specifying a number for as long as you can - if they can first make an offer, that's better for you.

Seriously...if you have the option to do so, put in a range. Otherwise, if they're going to force you to really put in a number, do research and put in something reasonably high as you would in the first round of a negotiation. But where possible, it is to your advantage to delay specifying a number for as long as you can - if they can first make an offer, that's better for you.

Very good advice!

I would usually write "open", and if asked, I would say it is dependent upon the entire scope of the position and the benefit package. Some interviews asked for clarification and I advised that if the position is hourly and OT is paid, that's makes a big difference vs. being salaried and not getting paid for OT. Also on the benefit side of things...if a company expects the employee to fork over $400/month for health insurance vs. having to pay just $40/month...that means a lot when you look at your finances.

To me, putting down a salary requirement is a "NO WIN" situation for the applicant! Put down a number and if that number is more than the company is willing to pay.......the applicant won't hear from the company! If the applicant puts down too low of a number, a company could easily wonder why, with the experience listed on the resume or app (online), an applicant is asking for so little. If an applicant puts down "open" or "will discuss", in many cases a company doesn't like that......they want an actual number!

To me, putting down a salary requirement is a "NO WIN" situation for the applicant! Put down a number and if that number is more than the company is willing to pay.......the applicant won't hear from the company!

To me, putting down a salary requirement is a "NO WIN" situation for the applicant! Put down a number and if that number is more than the company is willing to pay.......the applicant won't hear from the company! If the applicant puts down too low of a number, a company could easily wonder why, with the experience listed on the resume or app (online), an applicant is asking for so little. If an applicant puts down "open" or "will discuss", in many cases a company doesn't like that......they want an actual number!

That's why you research the average salary for that particualr position before stating the requirements.

To me, putting down a salary requirement is a "NO WIN" situation for the applicant! Put down a number and if that number is more than the company is willing to pay.......the applicant won't hear from the company! If the applicant puts down too low of a number, a company could easily wonder why, with the experience listed on the resume or app (online), an applicant is asking for so little. If an applicant puts down "open" or "will discuss", in many cases a company doesn't like that......they want an actual number!

A company actually told me after an interview that they didn't hire me because my salary is more than they can afford. I usually look up or ask someone in a similar position how much they make to get a good range. But in this case it was an uncommon position, no way to figure it out, so I threw a number out there. oops. I started putting negotiable as there is more than just salary that I'm interested in. If they are going to take half my check to pay for insurance, and there are no bonuses that makes a difference. If it's a lower salary but the insurance is reasonable and there are incentives, then I'd actually make more with the lower salary. So to make a longer story short. I don't give expected salary or what I make now. If they dont like it, then too bad. I'm not doing a crap shoot to see if I can nail their range.

But, no, seriously, I have always used the advice you have above, combined, and that is to use both a bracketed amount within the confines of your peers in your skill or chosen career, coupled with the cost of living where you are - at a minimum a good guide is one week of your salary should equal one month of your rent or mortgage payment. Research it, come up with a bracket amount and simply put 'Somewhere in the mid thrirties to mid fourties, but subject to further discussion and negotiation per the requirements of the position." (As an example). This way you have a good idea what you are worth, you've given them a range to work with and left yourself an out by expressing you are willing to discuss it.

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